by Aisha Iqbal

MORE than £1,000 was added to the coffers of the Wokingham Community Hospital Pavilion Appeal after the success of the Times organised comedy night at the Two Poplars pub in Finchampstead Road on Friday.

With the proceeds of the evening's raffle still being counted, the final figure for the night could reach £1,500.

The sell-out event attracted the cream of British circuit comedians and a jovial crowd to Wokingham's first-ever comedy night.

Despite a few initial problems with the sound system, the acts were warmly received by the 200-strong audience and by the end of the night, the money had really rolled in.

Appeal organisers at the event said the response had been "fantastic".

Meanwhile the fund-raising wheels keep rolling across the district, with new events being planned all the time as residents give their support to this vital local service.

Members of the Earley Trinity Concert Band, a 40-member band formed just 18 months ago, have joined together with their more established colleagues in the St Sebastian's Wokingham Band to organise a joint concert at Bearwood Theatre on Saturday, July 19.

The concert, entitled "Bands United", was the brainchild of Trinity musical director Michael Steel, who said it would allow closer liaisons between bands and help a truly worthwhile local cause.

He said: "We wanted to support local charities but also, as a new band, it was a personal wish to establish closer liaisons with other local bands. One idea followed the other, really.

"St Sebastian's were equally enthusiastic about the idea.

"I am a great believer in having good local medical facilities, both for patients and also so families don't have to travel miles to visit relatives.

"But I was not aware there was no-where at the Wokingham Community Hospital for people to relax and refresh, so I think this is an extraordinarily good idea.

"We are all thoroughly happy about doing this and we certainly hope to raise a lot of money for it."

Other forthcoming events include an inter-company Quiz Night to be held at the Reading Hockey and Cricket Club in Sonning Lane on May 15, and of course appeal patron Uri Geller's spectacular show in June.

All proceeds from both events will go straight to the appeal, and special thanks are due to the owners of both venues for their kindness.

The Quiz Night will feature teams of between six and eight people entering at £5 a head and there will be ample liquid profits for the winning team.

Meanwhile donations have continued to pour in to the appeal offices and combined with confirmed proceeds from the comedy night, the appeal total now stands at more than £8,000.

Appeal co-ordinator Jenny Green said it was especially "nice" to hear from former patients who had appreciated their stay and the care they received at the hospital.

She said: "We had one cheque for £500 from a couple, and in the accompanying letter the lady says that she has had several stays in the hospital and fully appreciated the benefits of an out-of-ward place to sit."

>If you have any ideas for events to raise money for the appeal, or are organising an event yourself, call Aisha Iqbal on (0118) 936 6186. All fundraising events will be featured in the Times.

>Organisers of the Wokingham Community Hospital Pavilion Appeal would like to thank generous sponsors Trademark Windows and Waitrose for their support, as well as all the local companies who provided raffle prizes.